Original version

BBC Radio 3 is a radio channel that started transmitting on the 30th September 1967. It replaced Third Programme.

BBC Radio 3

Radio 3

The Early Music Show

Music: Classical: Early Music

Performance and news from the world of early music.

An exploration of early music, looking at early developments in musical performance and composition in Britain and abroad. UK only: please note that not all episodes are podcast.

The Early Music Show: Princess Maria Barbara

Factual: Arts, Culture & the Media

Factual: History

Princess Maria Barbara

04/12/2011

BBC Radio 3 - The Early Music Show, Princess Maria Barbara

A profile of Maria Barbara, Portuguese infanta and Spanish queen and music she inspired.

Catherine Bott presents a profile of Maria Barbara, the Portuguese infanta and Spanish queen, and the muse of Domenico Scarlatti, on the 300th anniversary of her birth.

A profile of Maria Bárbara, the Portuguese Infanta and Spanish Queen, and the muse of Domenico Scarlatti, on the 300th anniversary of her birth. 

Catherine Bott looks back on the life of one Europe's most musically talented royal figures, the inspirational Maria Madalena Bárbara Xavier Leonor Teresa Antónia Josefa (4 December 1711 - 27 August 1758), whose gifts as a keyboard player and great love for music inspired Domenico Scarlatti to devote the best part of his life serving her and prompted him to compose at least 550 sonatas for her to play.

Maria Bárbara's name often appears alongside Scarlatti's when talking about his music, but little is usually said about her, her court and her times. Catherine Bott takes the three hundredth anniversary of her birth to review the Scarlatti story from a different perspective.

Live music and the arts: broadcasts more live music than any other radio network. Classical music is its core. Genres include world and new music, jazz, speech and drama.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

The Early Music Show

Princess Maria Barbara

Genres

Brand

BBC Radio 3

About BBC Radio 3